🧾 What Is a Hafilat Card?
Abu Dhabi has its own smart transport card called the Hafilat Car, which is applicable in buses and other forms of public transport. It works as a prepaid card whereby once you have loaded money into it, the fare is automatically deducted whenever you travel.
It belongs to the system of the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and is responsible for controlling all the public transport in Abu Dhabi and making the process of travelling within the emirate hassle-free and cashless.
💳 Hafilat Cards of all kind (Cost, validity, and benefits)
Abu Dhabi has a variety of Hafilat cards that accommodate every kind of traveler; short-term tourists and daily commuters r and students. Here’s what each one offers:
🔹 1. Contactless Smart Ticket (CST)
Validity: 30 days (temporary use)
Cost: There is no down payment (only pay on the balance loaded)
Ideal users: Tourists, visitors, or short-term users.
Features:
- No registration needed — just purchase and use immediately.
- Disposable travel cards such as limited to use.
- Ideal for speed or a one-way trip in Abu Dhabi.
Pro Tip: Suited to those tourists who will spend less than a month.
🔹 2. Personalized Hafilat Card
Validity: 5 years
Cost: AED 10 (one-time charge)
Best suited: The residents and the people who frequently commute.
Features:
- Refillable, reusable, and connected with your identity.
- Auto fare deduction on tap.
- In case lost or damaged (when registered), the balance may be restored.
- Helps to automatically top-up and charge the Payit app.
Best tip: Register your card to secure your balance and have more advanced features.
🔹 3. Smart Card Students, seniors, and people of determination.
Validity: 5 years
Cost: AED 5
Best: Students, senior citizens, and special needs passengers.
Features:
- The discounted or free travel (depending on the qualification).
- Must have a valid ID (student card, senior card, or disability certificate).
- Lots of convenience, rechargeable, and accepted in the buses of Abu Dhabi.
Pro Tip: You can use your discount benefits by applying at any customer center of ITC or using the portal.
💡 Which Hafilat Card Should You Choose?
| Card Type | Cost | Validity | Ideal For | Key Benefit |
| Contactless Smart Ticket (CST) | Free | 30 Days | Tourists | Quick, no-registration use |
| Personalized Hafilat Card | AED 10 | 5 Years | Residents | Long-term, auto top-up support |
| Student/Senior/Special Needs Card | AED 5 | 5 Years | Concession users | Discounted fares |
Each card type ensures cash-free travel and easy top-up options via kiosks, online portals, or mobile apps.
Types of Hafilat Passes – Weekly, Monthly and Intercity
The travel passes are also available in the Abu Dhabi Hafilat system, where travelers are offered unlimited rides as long as it is valid. They are very convenient in saving money and preventing repeated recharges
🔹 Weekly Pass
Validity: 7 days post-activation.
Usage: Infinite usage of buses in the city.
Cost Range: Around AED 30–35
Best suited to: Tourists or short-term employees who spend a week.
Why Choose It: Travel on buses unlimitedly and be sure that there is no need to recharge the card.
🔹 Monthly Pass
Validity: 30 days
Usage: Unlimited travel inside the city of Abu Dhabi.
Prices: AED 80-100 (based upon zones)
Perfect match: Residents, workers, and students.
Why Have It: Save money on your daily bus fares by paying this conveniently in a monthly payment.
🔹 Intercity Pass
Validity: 30 days
Utilization: Long-haul routes like Abu Dhabi-Al Ain or Al Dhafra.
Cost Range: AED 150–180
Most suitable: For the worker or those who travel a lot within the cities.
Why Buy It: Get the best value when you travel between cities regularly.
Advantages of using Hafilat Passes
- Unlimited access to travel in your chosen areas.
- Affordable to the commuters.
- There is no necessity to recharge after every couple of days.
- Factors on the routes of all city and intercity buses.
Pro Tip: You can add your pass to auto top up on the Darb or Payit app to automatically renew it and keep traveling.
💡 Why Checking Your Hafilat Card Balance Matters
Maintaining your balance will do more than keep you convenient; it is also the key to a worry-free trip.
✅ Major Reasons Why Checking Periodically is important:
- Denied boarding because of a lack of money.
- Dodge penalties for traveling without sufficient balance.
- Schedule intercity or monthly operations with ease.
- Smart transportation budgeting.
- Frequent inspections entail hassle-free travel daily.
⚙️ Quick Overview — Hafilat Card Balance Check Methods
| Method | Where | Ease | Speed | Cost |
| Official Website (ITC/Hafilat portal) | Online | Easy | Instant | Free |
| Darb / Hafilat Mobile App | iOS & Android | Very easy | Real-time | Free |
| Ticket Machines / Kiosks | Bus stations, malls | Easy | Instant | Free |
| On-board Validator | Inside the bus | Very easy | Instant | Free |
| Customer Service Counters | Major terminals | Moderate | Minutes | Free |
| Authorized Retail Shops | Select stores | Easy | Instant | May vary |
Method 1: Check Hafilat Card Balance Online (Official Portal)
This is the best and most direct method of checking your balance.
Steps:
- Go to Hathe portal (Integrated Transport Centre (ITC)).
- Access Card Services Balance Inquiry.
- Enter the Hafilat card number, 16 digits.
- Click Submit to see your trip history and balance.
🌟 Benefits:
- Check multiple cards at once.
- Fine at checking new top-ups.
- Operates flawlessly on desktop and on mobile websites.
Method 2: Inquiry through Darb / Hafilat Mobile App
Management of the Hafilat card is simplest through the Darb app, which is the official one of ITC.
Steps:
- Get the Darbi or Hafilat app (Android/iOS) hafilat.darb.ae
- Register or log in.
- Add your card number.
- View your balance instantly.
🌟 Benefits:
- Real-time balance updates.
- Low-balance alerts.
- Instant recharge options.
- Control multiple cards of a particular account.
Method 3: Balance checking in ticket vending machines or kiosks
Steps:
- Go to any ticketing machine or kiosk.
- Tap your card.
- Select “Balance Inquiry.”
- View your balance instantly.
🌟 Benefits:
- Works without the internet.
- Quick response and printout voucher.
Method 4: Check on the Bus (Validator Machine)
When you tap your Hafilat card on the bus validator, the screen displays the amount of the remaining balance and the amount of fare deducted.
Warning: When the validator displays an insufficient balance, recharge it before your next trip.
Method 5: Customer Service Centers
Visit an ITC customer service centre:
- Checking/or reloading your balance.
- Acquiring the damaged cards or the lost ones.
- Balance transfer to a new card.
- Keep an additional balance in case of late-night travel.
💳 How to Recharge Your Hafilat Card
There are several convenient ways to recharge:
-
Mobile App Recharge (Darbi / Payit App)
- Open the app → Select Top-Up → Enter amount → Pay securely.
- Works instantly, with options for auto top-up or recurring payments.
-
Online Portal
- Visit the Hafilat website → Enter card number → Pay online.
-
Ticket Machines / Kiosks
- Insert cash or card → Choose amount → Reload instantly.
-
Authorized Retail Outlets
- Visit partner shops or exchange centers → Ask for Hafilat Recharge.
-
Auto Top-Up Option
- Set up automatic top-ups when your balance drops below your chosen limit.
💡 Tip: Keep your transaction receipt until your new balance appears.
🧾 Minimum Balance & Fare Rules
- You must maintain a minimum balance equal to the base fare before boarding.
- Fares vary by zone or route (intercity fares cost more).
- Validators may deny boarding or charge a penalty if balance is too low.
🔧 Troubleshooting — Common Issues & Quick Fixes
| Problem | Possible Cause | Quick Fix |
| Balance not updated after top-up | System delay | Wait 5–10 minutes or re-tap card |
| Card not scanning | Dirty or damaged chip | Clean card or replace |
| Duplicate charges | System glitch | Contact ITC with receipt |
| Lost or stolen card | Misplaced or stolen | Report to ITC to block and transfer balance |
🧳 Special Info for Tourists, Students & Workers
🌍 Tourists:
- Buy a temporary Hafilat card at airport kiosks.
- Recharge easily using kiosks or Payit apps.
- Keep extra balance for late-night travel.
🎓 Students & Workers:
- Get discount cards with a valid ID.
- Balance and expiry through the Darb app.
- Continued discounts were early renewed.
Helpful Tips to Travel Smoothly
- Activate low-balance notifications in the application.
- Auto top-up to be convenient.
- Have an additional buffer of AED 10 to 20.
- Organize monthly trip history to budget.
- Always save top-up receipts.
Summary — Traveling Smart with Your Hafilat Card
With the correct payment and card type selection, timely charging, you can make sure that you will have a stress-free experience travelling around Abu Dhabi. The Darb or Payit app is used to manage in real-time, kiosks can be used to quickly top-up, and customer centers can be used to address more complicated questions. The monthly pass or auto top-up option is available so that you can have a hassle-free ride without having to miss your ride anymore.
Frequently asked questions (About Google Snippets)
Q1: What is the way to check my Hafilat online balance?
Use the official Hafilat portal, use your 16-digit card number, and press Submit.
Q2: Do I have the ability to check my balance using my phone?
Yes, download Darb or Payit to keep up-to-date.
Q3: What is the lowest balance of Hafilat?
➡ ️ Reserve your minimum fare route to prevent the problem of boarding.
Q4: How do I recharge my Hafilat card?
Through the app, online, and authorized retail stores.
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